Pocket Edition uses your Microsoft account, not a separate game username

Minecraft Pocket Edition (the mobile version for phones and tablets) does not have its own username system. Instead, it ties directly to your Microsoft account. When you change your Microsoft account name, that change shows up in Pocket Edition automatically — there is no separate step inside the game.

This is different from Java Edition (the PC version), which has its own username system. If you play Pocket Edition on an Android phone, an iPad, or a Windows tablet, you are using your Microsoft account name as your in-game name.

Key Takeaways

  • Pocket Edition displays whatever name is attached to your Microsoft account, so you change it through Microsoft's website or app, not through Minecraft settings.
  • You can change your Microsoft account name once every 30 days, and the change takes effect in Pocket Edition within a few minutes.
  • If you play on multiple devices (phone, tablet, PC), changing your Microsoft account name changes your name everywhere at once.
  • Your old username becomes available for other players to use after you change it, so you cannot reclaim it later.

How to change your name through the Microsoft website

Go to account.microsoft.com in a web browser on any device. Sign in with the email address and password you use for Pocket Edition. Click Your info in the left menu, then look for the section that shows your current name (it may say "Gamertag" or "Display name" depending on your account type).

Click Edit name or Manage next to your current name. Type your new name into the text field. Microsoft will tell you whether the name is available. If it is taken, try a variation — adding numbers or underscores often works. Click Save when you are done.

The change usually takes effect in Pocket Edition within a few minutes. If you still see your old name in the game, close Pocket Edition completely and open it again.

How to change your name through the Xbox app

If you have the Xbox app installed on your phone or tablet, you can change your name there as well. Open the app and tap your profile picture in the top left corner. Tap Profile, then tap Customize profile. Look for the option to edit your gamertag or display name.

The process is the same as the website: type your new name, check availability, and save. The change syncs to Pocket Edition within minutes.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your name, your old username becomes available for any other player to claim. You cannot reserve it or get it back later. If you think you might want to use that name again someday, consider a different new name instead.

Players who had you added as a friend will still see you in their friends list, but your name will show as the new one. Worlds and builds you created stay attached to your account and do not disappear.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Microsoft allows you to change your account name once every 30 days. If you change your name today, you cannot change it again for 30 days. This limit exists to prevent spam and account takeover abuse.

If you made a mistake and want to change your name again when ready, you will have to wait. There is no way to bypass this limit, even if you contact Microsoft support.

Troubleshooting: your old name still shows in Pocket Edition

If you changed your Microsoft account name but Pocket Edition still displays your old name, try these steps in order. First, close Pocket Edition completely — do not just minimize it. Then reopen the app. If the name still has not changed, sign out of your Microsoft account within Pocket Edition and sign back in.

On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Minecraft and tap Storage > Clear Cache. This removes temporary files without deleting your worlds. Then open Pocket Edition again. On iPad or iPhone, you may need to delete and reinstall the app, but your worlds will still be there when you sign back in because they are saved to your Microsoft account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Pocket Edition name without changing my Microsoft account name?

No. Pocket Edition pulls your name directly from your Microsoft account, so there is no separate setting inside the game. The only way to change how your name appears in Pocket Edition is to change your Microsoft account name.

Will changing my name affect my worlds or progress?

No. Your worlds, inventory, and achievements stay attached to your account. Only the name that displays changes. If you play on multiple devices, all of them will show your new name once it syncs.

What if the name I want is already taken?

Try adding numbers, underscores, or abbreviations. For example, if "Alex" is taken, try "Alex_123" or "AlexGamer". Microsoft will show you when ready whether a name is available as you type.

Do I need to change my email address too?

No. Your email address and your display name are separate. You can change your display name without touching your email. Your email is what you use to sign in; your display name is what other players see.

How long does it take for the name change to show up in Pocket Edition?

Usually a few minutes. If it takes longer than 10 minutes, close and reopen Pocket Edition. If it still has not changed after that, sign out and sign back in to your Microsoft account within the game.